Latest buzz with Florida State recruits and upcoming decisions

The summer recruiting period is now closed, and that means some more commitments are expected to come from top Florida State targets.

The latest pickup for the Seminoles was four-star WR Malik Clark , who pulled a surprise by picking FSU over South Carolina. Now we focus on some August decisions to watch, and a few prospects that could decide shortly after this month.

The latest buzz in Florida State recruiting

FSU currently boasts a top-10 class, according to the latest On3 team rankings. However, the ‘Noles could surge higher if things go well in the coming weeks.

Let’s start with the highest-ranked recruit, five-star OL Josh Petty and there continues to be some conflicting thoughts regarding where Florida State actually stands. On3’s Steve Wiltfong feels that Georgia Tech and Ohio State are now the teams with the most buzz as we sit a week away from Petty’s Aug. 12 decision. I personally don’t think there is a top team or two decided yet. After checking around, I believe it’s a very close battle and that any of the three are a very realistic threat.

From what I’ve been told, it’s a razor-close battle between FSU, Ohio State and Georgia Tech. I would say all three have shared confidence to some degree regarding their standing here. And while I’ve heard a little more buzz surrounding Ohio State going into that final week, I think it’s also important to note that Petty has not made a decision, even according to those in his small circle. The intel suggests he truly doesn’t know yet.

Certainly, academics would seem to give Georgia Tech an edge. Then when it comes to comfort and development, FSU is the team I hear the most. Ohio State has obviously had the most sustained success in recent years, and the Buckeyes develop players well too. NIL is also a factor, I’m told from those close to the recruitment, and that’s something we’ll have to watch. But as for now, I think this one is still too close to call.

Florida State fans are also going to want to pay attention to the recruitments of four-star DB Onis Konanbanny and four-star DB Bryce Fitzgerald .

With Konanbanny, this is a clear FSU-Tennessee battle, and I’m told he’s really going to start breaking down the two choices this weekend and next week before announcing on Aug. 27. The Vols got the last visit, so common sense says the Vols hold the edge. But over the weekend, I’ve heard a little more about FSU in this recruitment. A big reason for that is the development of players under DBs coach Patrick Surtain.

This is another recruitment where I don’t feel the player has informed any coaching staff where he’s going. And it should be a very close race based on the intel, at least as of today. I’ll continue to monitor to see if there is a clear indication as we get closer to the decision date.

Then with Fitzgerald, Miami hosted the four-star on a visit right before the dead period. But as On3 reported over the weekend, I feel this is an FSU-LSU battle, and I would give Florida State the slight edge after checking with contacts close to the recruitment. LSU has built some momentum here, but as of today, I like FSU a little more.

Another recruitment we’re still heavily monitoring is four-star DB Ladarian Clardy , who postponed his Aug. 2 decision to take a little more time. I think it likely would have been Ole Miss if he decided then. Now, I’m not as confident in that. Clardy told me over the weekend that he talks with FSU like every day, and that hasn’t changed. I’m also told that before he decides, Clardy wants to take another visit to Florida State. I think it’s also possible you see him visit some other schools that haven’t been the picture. So I would not count out a school like Georgia, South Carolina or Auburn getting more involved. Just something to watch.

At running back, Florida State’s focus has been on four-stars Ousmane Kromah and Byron Louis . Although Louis has indicated an decision is getting closer, I’m not sure it happens before September, or at the earliest late August.

Miami has made a strong push, and the Hurricanes are certainly a threat, but I would not move off my pick for FSU still with Louis. The talented back has mentioned that the choice would be the school where he’s the most comfortable, and that seems be Florida State based on people I’ve spoken with around the recruitment. I don’t think it’s a slam dunk at all though.

On Kromah, my stance remains unchanged that I feel Georgia is the biggest threat. But FSU has captured some momentum after another visit to Tallahassee. There is a unique personal connection that seems to exist between Kromah and FSU, but Georgia is absolutely an elite program and has had tremendous success with backs. I do think you will see Kromah visit FSU early in the season for a home game.

Speaking of Georgia, and while this is not a surprise, but the Bulldogs have not let up in their pursuit of four-star FSU WR commit CJ Wiley . It is expected he will see an early season home game in Athens. At the same time, Wiley is scheduled to be at FSU for the Seminoles’ home opener, so the ‘Noles are combating that push. While Georgia is still a real threat, intel around this recruitment still suggests that it would be a tough turn from FSU. But I wanted to share those notes.

Overall, I still feel this Florida State class should be a top-10 class or higher. But the ‘Noles will need to land some of the targets above, and I feel LB, DE and OT are spots where FSU has more work to do this fall.

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